Page 52 of Ringmaster
The crowd cheers wildly. My father smiles, and then blackness surrounds me—total and absolute—until I wake to find my body engulfed in flames.
I cry out in agony, staring down at my chest and arm to find everywhere that was burning moments ago is charred over and healing rapidly. My flesh blisters, blackens, curls at the edges like burned parchment. The tattoo is gone from my mortal form, but I can still feel it—etched into something deeper. The bond. The oath. The blade. I scan the room and find it—Soul Slayer—buried in the hearth where the fire has gone out.
Shit. I need to feed or I won’t stand a chance later tonight.
Chapter 29
Mercy
My legs burn from crouching to clean the floors all morning. I wipe the sweat from my brow as I put the bucket away and inspect my handiwork. As my eyes scan the space, they land on my mother, just walking in the door with a basket full to the brim from the market. Ever since he forbade me from leaving the house, she’s had to go in my place—another quiet sacrifice she never signed up for.
“Mother, you’re just in time for some morning tea,” I smile warmly, guilt gnawing at me from the inside out.
She eyes me suspiciously. “That would be nice.”
I silently prepare the tea, adding a platter of fresh berries from the garden, cream, and a variety of dried meats, cheeses, and yesterday’s bread.
When my mother sits down at the small kitchen table, I pour us each a cup of tea.
“What is it that’s on your mind?” Her voice is soft, filled with understanding. “If it’s about the Market and Miriam, you know I can’t go against him.”
Tears rise, and I blink them back. I will not cry. I refuse to be hurt by a man who has no claim to me.
“Mother, let me explain everything. Please, just hear me out.” I keep my voice steady.
She nods, sipping her tea and leaning back in the chair.
“I want you to understand—it should be my decision. And no matter what you do or say, I will find a way.” I don’t look at her. I focus instead on a worn spot on the wall behind her.
“Go on,” she says, but her voice is cold, hollow. Like she’s already given up hope.
“This mess exists because I didn’t listen. But Azrael’s done everything he can to fix things.”
“Azrael?” she asks, lifting a brow. “Is that the boy from the circus? Oh, Mercy. Please tell me it’s not.” Her eyes are wide with concern.
I try not to roll mine. “It is. And before you say anything—don’t.” I shift uncomfortably. “I care for him. And he cares for me. Two days from now, he’s coming for me.”
“Absolutely not.” She slams her hands on the table. “No daughter of mine is running off with the circus. What would people say?”
“Does it matter what people say? Do you actually care more about the opinions of busybodies and strangers than you do about your own flesh and blood?” I quell the tremor in my jaw. “Don’t you want me to be happy? Or would you really damn me to the same life as you?”
Her expression falters. Her eyes drop to her tea. Her hand trembles ever so slightly. And the guilt hits hard. I instantly regret my words.
“How is he going to keep you safe when your father finds out?” she hisses.
It’s my turn to slam my hands against the table. “He’s not my father. He has no claim to me. I will not agree to his arranged marriage. You’ll watch me escape. I’ll run far, far away from you both.”
My mother chokes back a sob. Something inside her shatters. “Azrael’s endangering all of us. You’re both fools if you think there won’t be consequences.”
“He hasn’t recklessly endangered me. He’s done nothing but protect me.” I decide she’s nowhere near ready to hear about the soul-binding.
Tears roll down my mother’s face. “So I’m going to lose you?”
“You were going to lose me either way. Do you really think if he gets his way, you’ll ever see me again? I’m nothing more than a transaction to him. It’s always been like this, but you know nothing of the secrets we both kept from you.”
My mother’s face twists in horror. I’ve caught my mother entirely off guard. She blinks several times, struggling with what I’ve said. I’m right, and she knows it. But that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“Azrael will take care of me. He’ll protect me. I believe in him. And you know what? He says you can come too. He’s willing to take us both, because I refuse to leave you here to suffer. You don’t love him. Come with me. Be free?”
